Cafe, office tower for former Barnaby’s Riverside Restaurant site at 66 Phillip St, Parramatta

A heritage cottage once home to a beloved riverside Parramatta restaurant could be restored - while a towering commercial building could loom over it under a $34m vision for the spot.

The charming Barnaby’s Riverside Restaurant before it closed in 2010.

The cottage that formerly housed much-loved fine dining establishment Barnaby’s Riverside Restaurant at Parramatta will be restored into a cafe, while a 22-storey commercial tower will dwarf it on the same site if $34m plans get the green light.

The cottage, on the corner of George Khattar Lane and 66 Phillip St, could be readapted into a cafe facing Parramatta River, while restaurants and bars are also slated for level one, 19 and 20 as part of the ambitious proposal.

Eighteen carpark spots are slated for levels two to five while a wellness studio is planned for the basement.

The pillars at the base of office tower will share a similar appearance to the Parramatta Powerhouse, also on Phillip St, but the design, by architecture firm Smith + Tzannes, is not the only parallel shared with the controversial museum.

Like the museum, the proposal by developers Hanmari, sits on a flood-prone site.

How the development at 66 Phillip St Parramatta could look if the 22-storey office tower is approved.

Under the statement of environmental effects prepared for Parramatta Council, environmental consultants Molino Stewart said the building and cafes would be occupied by a “broad range of people with a range of vulnerabilities”.

However, the report found the basement levels would be protected from floodwaters and there was sufficient time for evacuation, making the risk “extremely low’’.

Barnaby’s owner Michael Fischer with staff on September 27, 1994.

The cottage was built circa 1840 and Barnaby’s occupied it for decades before it closed in 2010.

Business Western Sydney business executive David Borger welcomed the development.

“I think Parramatta’s a city and this is a really great place, it’s close to public transport, there’s wonderful view across the river so I think having a taller building at the site of the river is fine,’’ he said.

Restaurant Manager Martin Nilsson at Barnaby's in 2005. Picture Renee Nowytarger

“Cities with rivers are blessed. We use to turn our back on the river; most buildings would never face the river. This is the future of how we appreciated rivers and waterways.’’

The vision to see Barnaby’s restored has prompted fond memories for its legion of loyal patrons.

Mr Borger would often host guests there when he was the Parramatta Lord Mayor.

“When I was the mayor and you wanted a nice lunch there weren’t many nice places to go but Barnaby’s was one of them,’’ he said.

“It was the place to be.’’

Readapting the cottage to a restaurant has also been welcome.

“I love it when heritage buildings have public uses and people can come in and see the history,’’ Mr Borger said.

The Planning Department will determine the project.